Charity Launches to Insure Climate-Vulnerable Communities

A new charity, Humanity Insurance, has been established to make insurance more accessible to communities worldwide affected by climate-related disasters.

Backed by international insurance firms, including Howdens, the organisation officially launched yesterday after obtaining charity status in July. Humanity Insurance, based in both the UK and the US, aims to provide vital insurance protection for "climate-vulnerable communities" around the globe.

Despite financial support from major insurance companies, the charity has committed to maintaining independence by appointing an autonomous board of trustees. This board consists of experts in development, climate change, and finance. The board has already approved three grants, providing insurance coverage for refugees and smallholders in Malawi, farmers in Kenya, and small business owners in Papua New Guinea.

Humanity Insurance plans to use a mix of private and philanthropic funding to protect the 3.6 billion people worldwide who are at risk of losing their lives and livelihoods due to climate disasters, such as floods and droughts.

One of the charity's key initiatives is the use of satellite-triggered insurance, ensuring that payments are rapidly delivered to impacted communities, providing immediate relief during and after a disaster.

In addition to offering insurance, Humanity Insurance will also fund training and climate resilience tools for the insured communities, helping them to "adapt and manage" the threats posed by the escalating climate crisis.

Charlie Langdale, the newly appointed CEO of Humanity Insurance, said: “Everyone should experience the security that insurance brings because it empowers people to invest in their futures.

"This is a crucial response in an increasingly volatile world, where post-disaster funding is often too late. Humanity Insurance will not only prevent families from resorting to harmful coping strategies after climate shocks but will enable those most vulnerable to proactively manage the climate risks they face by being financially prepared."